Two of Brandon’s city councillors waded into the pool of provincial party politics yesterday, throwing their support behind leadership contender Theresa Oswald.

Green Acres Coun. Jan Chaboyer and South Centre Coun. Lonnie Patterson publicly endorsed Seine River MLA Theresa Oswald’s bid to become the next leader of the NDP.

Jan Chaboyer

Oswald, who was health minister for more than seven years, is running against current Premier Greg Selinger and Steve Ashton, who resigned as transportation minister to run for the party’s top job.

"I think Theresa provides the type of leadership that we want to see for premier and for the people of Manitoba," Chaboyer said.

A longtime party member, Chaboyer supported Selinger during his first leadership race, when he replaced Gary Doer in 2009.

"(Selinger has) been a great leader, but at the same time recognizing the NDP has been in power for a long time and it seems like to the people of Manitoba that they just want a refresh of what our priorities are," Chaboyer said.

Chaboyer characterized Oswald as a "straightforward leader" who cares about Manitoba families.

She’s also enthusiastic about the prospects of the province’s first female premier.

"As a woman, I think it’s exciting and I think the time is right for the province to have a premier who is a strong woman," Chaboyer said.

"We make up more than 50 per cent of the voting population and it’s nice to see women get voted into leadership roles."

With NDP support tanking, according to a recent Probe Research poll, Chaboyer believes Oswald offers the best chance of the NDP staying in power.

"It’s exciting and I hope that besides trying to encourage people to join the NDP and to have a voice at the leadership convention that they should listen closely to what Theresa Oswald is telling the people of Manitoba," Chaboyer said.

"She’ll be the best contender to take on (Brian) Pallister and the (Progressive) Conservatives."

Lonnie Patterson

The Probe survey found only 26 per cent of respondents would back the NDP if an election were held tomorrow.

The PCs led the poll with 48 per cent support.

Patterson, who worked as a staffer for the NDP prior to getting into municipal politics, said the party needs a strong communicator.

Oswald’s ability to listen and build consensus makes her the obvious choice to lead the party, according to Patterson.

"She offers that fresh perspective and a new face for our party," Patterson said.

"It gives us a generational shift and I’ll be honest, I’m really excited about the prospects of having a woman as the premier of Manitoba and the leader of our party."

Both Chaboyer and Patterson don’t believe their endorsement of Oswald will hurt them around the council table. Municipal leaders rarely endorse political candidates because they will have to work with whoever wins the NDP leadership race — Oswald, Selinger or Ashton — or one of the leaders of other parties — the Liberals’ Rana Bokhari or Pallister — following the election.

"When there is a leadership race on, people do pick sides," Patterson said. "And I think (Oswald is) the best leader to take us into the next election."

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